MLB Player News

McKenzie (3-4) took the loss Tuesday against Seattle, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings without recording a strikeout.

After holding the Mariners scoreless through his first two innings, McKenzie allowed five of the first six batters to reach safely in the third, ultimately surrendering four runs before the Guardians turned to the bullpen. The 26-year-old McKenzie has struggled of late -- he hasn't made it through six innings in five straight starts, posting a 7.04 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA is up to 4.48 on the season with a 1.46 WHIP and 65:42 K:BB across 70.1 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend at home versus Toronto.

Miller (6-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was another solid outing from Miller, who's now allowed just two earned runs over 12.2 innings in his last two starts. While he's been inconsistent at times this year, the 25-year-old Miller has turned in a respectable 3.46 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and 82:26 K:BB across 15 starts (88.1 innings). Miller will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently lined up for this weekend in Miami.

Valdez (5-5) took the loss Tuesday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on two hits and five walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

The Houston southpaw toiled against a weak White Sox team that entered the evening collectively batting .220 with a 7.1 percent walk rate -- both qualifying as the second-worst marks in the majors. The five walks Valdez issued were the most since his first start this season against the Yankees on March 28, when he issued six free passes. The 30-year-old now sports a 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 56:24 K:BB over 73.2 innings. Valdez faces a difficult test in his next scheduled outing, slated to come against Baltimore at home this weekend.

Cannon (1-1) earned his first career win Tuesday against Houston, allowing seven hits and one walk over 8.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The 23-year-old rookie tossed the best game of his short career, leading the charge for the first White Sox shutout since May 21. Cannon has displayed masterful control in the majors, allowing just six walks in 32.1 innings. The Chicago right-hander now sports a 3.34 ERA and 1.24 WHIP this season. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Tigers on the road this weekend. Although Mike Clevinger (elbow) is rehabbing and nearing a return, Cannon's strong performance to date may keep him in the White Sox rotation long term.

Blackburn (foot) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Thursday will mark the first time Blackburn has thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list May 13 due to a fracture in his right foot. He isn't expected to return until after the All-Star break, but a more precise return timeline for the 30-year-old may emerge after he throws a few additional bullpen sessions and progresses to facing live hitters.

Stripling (elbow) will throw a bullpen session in Oakland next Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Stripling has already held catch sessions where he's thrown from 105 feet and the bullpen session will mark the next step in his recovery from a strained right elbow. The 34-year-old will likely toss at least one more bullpen session before embarking on some sort of rehab assignment prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list.

Soriano (abdomen) is dealing with an infection according to manager Ron Washington, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Soriano had his turn in the rotation skipped Monday due to abdominal pain and he's expected to be skipped again as he nurses an infection. Manager Ron Washington said Tuesday there's not a concern that Soriano will need to be placed on the injured list, so he'll likely be back before the end of June.

The Yankees transferred Schmidt (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.

The Yankees announced Schmidt would be shut down from throwing for 4-to-6 weeks once they placed him on the IL on May 30, so his move to the 60-day IL hardly comes as a surprise. He'll be eligible for activation July 26, but a better idea of his return timeline will have to wait until he's been cleared to throw again.

Scherzer (back/thumb) will return from the injured list and start against the Royals on Saturday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Scherzer has been on the injured list all season while recovering from offseason back surgery and battling thumb/forearm injuries throughout his rehab process. However, after experiencing no issues following his latest rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock, the 39-year-old veteran has officially been given the green light to return to the Rangers' rotation. He posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP alongside a 17:3 K:BB through 11 innings during his assignment, and it's unclear if the right-hander will be working under any restrictions during his return to a big-league mound.

Bubic (elbow) made his most recent rehab start Friday with Triple-A Omaha, working four innings while striking out three and allowing two runs on four hits and three walks.

The outing was Bubic's fourth with Omaha and the 10th overall of his rehab assignment, which has now been extended another 10 days on two occasions after he exhausted his initial 30-day rehab window. His second 10-day extension period will come to an end June 26, at which point the Royals are likely to activate Bubic from the 60-day injured list. Kansas City doesn't seem to have a spot available in its rotation for Bubic at the moment, so he'll presumably be optioned to Omaha once activated. Bubic has posted a 2.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB in 16.2 innings through his first four starts with Omaha.